The release of the Xbox Series X takes place in November 2020. Here you will find all information about release, specs, controller, and games of the new console from Microsoft.
What is known about the Xbox Series X? The Xbox Series X was officially introduced at E3 2019 and at the streaming event “The Game Awards” in December 2019. By now, there is a lot of information about Microsoft’s new console. This includes among others:
- Xbox Series X specs and performance
- Features like 4K, backward compatibility, and ray tracing
- Xbox Series X release date
- Xbox Series X controller and its key innovations
- Xbox Series S – images and price of the smaller console
This article was published at the end of 2019 and is continuously updated with new information. On October 5, 2020, we expanded it with details about the Xbox Series S and new information about the games.
Xbox Series X – Release, Price, Specs, and Performance
Xbox Series X – Release and Price
When will the Xbox Series X be released? The Xbox Series X and Series S will be released on November 10, 2020. Pre-orders start as early as September 22.
Developer Microsoft announced the date at E3 2019 in Los Angeles and reiterated it at “The Game Awards”: The release is planned for Christmas 2020 (in America “Holiday” 2020). A a short time there was also a specific date listed, which quickly disappeared again. As it turned out, Microsoft even chose an earlier date.
How much will the Xbox Series cost? The Xbox Series X costs €499.99. A price that many players anticipated even before the announcement. The price was confirmed on September 9.
The smaller S version costs €200 less.
The Xbox One launched at a price of 500 euros for a 500 GB hard drive, one controller, and a Kinect sensor. Speculation arose that laptopmag.com suggested that Microsoft was likely to offer its new console for 500 – 550 euros again.
A leak from September 2020 already listed the price of the Xbox Series X at $499.
Xbox Series X as a gaming PC: What would the Xbox Series X actually cost as a gaming PC? We took a look at this for you and present here what the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 could cost as a PC.
Can you pre-order the Xbox Series X? So far, the new console from Microsoft cannot be pre-ordered. Pre-orders will be activated starting September 22, 2020.
Xbox Series X – Specs and Data
In early March, Microsoft officially revealed the specs of the Xbox Series X. Here we show you an insight into the data sheet:
| Processor (CPU): | AMD Zen 2 processor (7nm), 8 cores/16 threads, 3.8 GHz clock speed |
| Graphics (GPU): | Graphics card (Navi) with ray tracing support and 12 teraflops GPU performance |
| Supported resolution: | Up to 8K and at 4K up to 120 FPS |
| Storage medium: | 1 TB NVMe SSD 2.4 GByte/s (uncompressed), 4.8 GByte/s (compressed) |
| Drive: | Physical 4K Blu-ray drive |
Xbox Series X – Specs in detail
- Graphics: Microsoft promises a GPU with a performance of 12 teraflops. This is supposed to be delivered by the Zen 2 with RDNA 2 from AMD. Google Stadia is expected to offer 10.2 teraflops and the PS5 10.28 teraflops of performance.
- DirectX Raytracing: The Xbox Series X is expected to offer ray tracing. This technique is supported by the hardware.
- HDMI 2.1: HDMI 2.1 supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). Both should prevent unpleasant side effects like tearing. The current console generation still relies on HDMI 2.0.
- Variable Rate Shading (VRS): The Xbox Series X is said to use its own, patented technology from Microsoft. This is supposed to provide players with a stable frame rate at higher resolutions.
- Refresh rate: Microsoft also promises that up to 120 fps should be possible on the Xbox Series X.
How much performance does the Xbox Series X offer? In terms of performance, the Xbox Series X is supposed to significantly surpass the Xbox One X: Xbox head Phil Spencer explains that the Xbox Series X is expected to be 8 times faster:
Xbox Series X Review: What do the first previews say about the next-gen console
When did the review embargo end? Since October 15, the first previews of the new console have been allowed to be published online. There are now also first reports about the Xbox Series X.
What do the first voices say? The first voices praise especially the “feeling” of the console. Especially highlighted are the fast loading times and Quick Resume. With this, you can switch directly from one game to another. Thanks to the short loading times, you have much more time for gaming.
Our colleagues from GamePro praise the incredibly powerful console and the low loading times and especially the fast dashboard. You can clearly notice the performance leap compared to the Xbox One. The controller of the Xbox Series X is also a noticeable improvement over the One pads.
More about the first German previews of the Xbox Series X can be found here:
Xbox Series S – Price, Pictures, and Performance
How much does the Xbox Series S cost? On September 8, 2020, Xbox revealed the smaller Xbox Series version, the “S”.
- The Xbox Series S costs €299
How big is the Series S? According to Xbox, this is supposed to be the most compact Xbox of all time. There are already first pictures of the console. It stands out due to the dark-colored ventilation inlet on the side. The Xbox Series S is supposed to be 60% smaller than the Xbox Series X.
Xbox Series S Performance
The Xbox Series S offers less performance in total than the Xbox Series X: The processor and graphics chip clock lower than the more expensive model, and the memory is also lower at 10 GB compared to Series X (16 GB).
This also explains the biggest difference between the two Xbox consoles: The Series S is only designed for a 1440p resolution while gaming and not for 4K. However, upscaling to 4K is possible.
Those who want the best performance right from the start should go for the Xbox Series X.
Xbox chief Phil Spencer has now explained that the loading times on the Xbox Series S should be even shorter than on the Xbox Series X.
| Xbox Series S | Xbox Series X | |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | AMD RDNA2 with up to 4 teraflops 20 CUs at 1.565 MHz | AMD RDNA2 with up to 12.15 teraflops 52 CUs at 1.845 MHz |
| Storage | NVMe SSD with 512 GB | NVMe SSD with 1 TB |
| CPU | 8-Core AMD Zen 2 3.6 GHz | 8-Core AMD Zen 2 3.8 GHz |
| RAM | 10 GB GDDR6 RAM | 16 GB GDDR6 |
| Drive | None | Blu-ray |
Xbox Series S Pre-order: Is the console worth it?
The Xbox Series S is significantly cheaper at €299 than the Xbox Series X, which costs €499. Especially with the Xbox Game Pass, the Series S offers an extremely affordable next-gen offer.
Pre-order Xbox Series S for €299.99 at MediaMarkt
Pre-order Xbox Series S for €299.99 at Amazon
Pre-order Xbox Series S for €299.99 at Saturn
Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X:
- The Series S, unlike the Series X, has no drive and relies entirely on digital games.
- The hard drive is only 512 GB large, half that of the Xbox Series S
- The Series X offers 4K, the Series S only 1440p and 4K scaling.
For whom is the console worth it? What speaks for the purchase of the smallest Xbox and for whom the Series S is not suitable, we explain in detail in our article:
Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X vs Xbox One S
Microsoft announced that the processor of the new console can provide about four times the performance of the Xbox One X. With this performance, resolutions of up to 8K are said to be possible. The stated goal is to achieve a resolution of 4K with up to 120 frames per second, according to Microsoft.
Is the Xbox One X still worth buying? Currently, the Xbox One X with a game and controller costs around €300. The weaker model, the Xbox One S, is currently available for around €170 to €190.
For around €300, the Xbox One X with game and controller is a fair offer (at launch, the console cost €500).
Thus, in the eyes of author Sven Wernicke, the current generation is still worthwhile. He writes on Euronics.de:
By the time the Xbox Scarlett has a rich game lineup and is in a moderate price range, the calendar will likely read 2021. So you still have plenty of time to get a suitable 8K TV and play a lot with the Xbox One.
Sven Wernicke on Euronics.de.
For many players, the Xbox One X with its 4K is currently more than sufficient. Furthermore, as Wernicke points out, Microsoft has only announced a handful of games for the Xbox Series X so far, which is still very little.
Is the Xbox One S still worth buying? The S version is the smaller brother of the Xbox One X and is cheaper. However, the S version offers significantly less performance than the X version.
With the announcement of the Xbox Series S, there are hardly any reasons to buy the smallest Xbox One model. For €300, the Xbox Series S offers about three times the performance. For games like Fortnite, FIFA, and other titles, you should rather go for the Series S.
The only important argument currently in favor of the One S is the drive and the likely steep drop in the console’s price after the release of the Series S/X. Those who want to play Blu-rays or game discs should either opt for the Xbox One or go directly for the Xbox Series X.
Should you buy an Xbox One or PS4? If you’re considering whether to buy a PS4 or Xbox One, take a look at our article. Here we have listed all the arguments for or against purchasing the old consoles:
Xbox Series X – Features, VR, and Backward Compatibility
The new Xbox Series X supports ray tracing and comes with a fast SSD hard drive, which ensures short loading times.
Xbox Series X: Backward Compatibility
Is the Series X backward compatible? According to Microsoft, the Xbox Series X will also be able to play the old games from the last four generations and even take over save states.
The Xbox team has now also explained what advantages this offers. You can play the old games at higher and more stable frame rates, higher resolutions are supported, and the old games also benefit from the fast SSD:
Does the Xbox Series X support cross-gen?: Microsoft did not say so, but indirectly addressed it. For example, Xbox chief Phil Spencer said in a Twitter post that he is already playing with the new console and playing with other Xbox players. This at least suggests crossplay between the different console generations.
Does the Xbox Series X support VR? Xbox chief Phil Spencer stated in an interview with Stevior.com that the focus of the new console is not on VR.
I think we will have it [VR] at some point, but we are not focusing on it.
Phil Spencer in an interview with Stevior.com.
Xbox Series X – Raytracing
Ray tracing will play an important role in the Xbox Series X. Microsoft has now explained that sound is also expected to be computed using ray tracing.
Xbox Series X – Games for the New Console
Microsoft has introduced the first games for the Xbox Series X. These include Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla and other exciting titles. Microsoft has since expanded its portfolio. The other games that will be released on the Xbox Series X include:
- Halo Infinite
- Fable
- State of Decay 3
- Forza Motorsport
- Everwild
- Avowed
- As Dusk Falls
- Psychonauts 2
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
- Tetris Effect Connected
- The Gunk
- The Medium
- Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
- CrossfireX
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Scorn
- The Ascent
All titles mentioned have not yet been released. For Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Microsoft, in collaboration with developer Ninja Theory, has released a teaser:
Currently, 17 games have been announced for the Xbox Series X and PC. Here we present all the games once again individually and with trailers:
Extended Game Pass: In line with the launch of the new consoles, Microsoft has come up with a strong innovation for the Game Pass Ultimate. A partnership with Electronic Arts ensures that you can obtain the best titles like FIFA, Battlefield, Titanfall, and others without additional cost through the Battle Pass.
With a trick, you can save big on the Game Pass:
What about exclusives for the Xbox Series X? Xbox chief Phil Spencer has explained that he thinks exclusives like those for the PS5 are the wrong way to go. Rather, he wants to offer a complete ecosystem with Xbox whereby all users can play on any device. What he also said can be read here: Xbox chief explains why PS5 is completely wrong with exclusives.
What do developers say? Some developers have also spoken positively about the games on the Xbox Series X and PS5. For example, Stuart Tilley, Game Developer and co-founder of Firesprite, explained that developers now have completely new possibilities with Xbox Series X and PS5: They used to have to discard many features due to long loading times, which they can now implement.
What does Smart Delivery mean? Smart Delivery means that if you buy any version of the game, you always have access to the best version of that game, regardless of the hardware.
What does backward compatibility mean? This means that old games will run smoothly on the new console. This means buyers of the Xbox Series X can also utilize a variety of old games on the new version.
General Questions about the Xbox Series X
MeinMMO spoke with Xbox chief: In an interview, we from MeinMMO, together with our other sister brands at Webedia (including GameStar and GamePro), spoke with Xbox chief Phil Spencer. We discussed the Xbox Game Pass, cloud gaming, and the close integration of PC and Xbox.
He also spoke once again about the uniqueness of the design of the Xbox Series X. You can find the entire interview with us to look back on: We spoke with the Xbox chief about the design and future of the Xbox Series X.
Xbox Series X: Controller
What do we know about the new controller? The new controller, which is delivered with the Xbox Series X, is supposed to be very similar to the previous controller of the Xbox One. Microsoft has now explained the new controller in a detailed blog post (via new.xbox.com).
This is what the new Xbox controller offers: Ryan Whitaker, Senior Designer at Xbox, explained what the new controller will include:
- Compatibility of the controller with Xbox One consoles
- Support for PC, Android, and iOS devices
- USB-C port for charging and connecting to the console
- Dynamic Latency Input (DLI): particularly fast connection to the console
- HDMI connection to the TV
- Share button: ability to capture images and videos without a separate menu and share them. It thus resembles the share button of the PS4 controller.
What has been changed in the Xbox One controller? Microsoft has also adjusted the surface of the controller. Special dot patterns on the shoulder and trigger buttons are said by Microsoft to help the controller lie better in hands. The D-Pad, shoulder, and trigger buttons now also use a matte material to ensure that the controller always fits securely in hand.
Does the controller also work with the Xbox One? The new controller is said to be compatible with the PC and current consoles. And the Xbox One controller has now also received a long-awaited update from Microsoft.
Pre-order Xbox Series X Controller: You can pre-order the controller for €59.99 in various colors:
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
Xbox Series X: Size and Structure
How large will the new console be? Many users had speculated about how large the console will be. The presented design differs completely from the previous generation: The console from Microsoft looks more like a PC tower than a console.
By now, the exact dimensions of the console are also known (length x width x height):
- The Xbox Series X measures: 151 mm x 151 mm x 301 mm.
- In comparison, the Xbox One X measures: 299.7 mm x 238.7 mm x 60.9 mm.
The footprint of the Xbox Series X is considerably smaller than that of the Xbox One X; however, it is significantly taller: While the Xbox One X is only 60.9 mm high, the Xbox Series X, at 301 mm, is more than five times as high.
Xbox Series X: Design
If you ever wondered why the Xbox Series X looks like a PC tower, a developer has now given an answer to that.
The Xbox Series X has strong hardware that generates high heat development. And this can be better managed with the tower structure than with a flat case.
Xbox Series X: What the name means
Is Xbox Series X the official name of the new console? At E3 2019, Microsoft introduced their new console as “Project Scarlet”. At “The Game Awards,” Microsoft presented its new console as “Xbox Series X”.
However, this is not the official name of the console. Microsoft explained (via IGN) that the official name of the new console is simply “Xbox”. The name Xbox Series X offers the advantage of leaving room for future consoles. Microsoft explains:
As fans have already noticed in previous generations, the name “Xbox Series X” leaves enough room for other consoles in the future.
Microsoft in an interview (via IGN).
What do you think about Microsoft’s new console? Would you buy it or would you prefer to go for the competition from Sony, the new PlayStation 5, which will be released in parallel?
